United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection 

Service

Veterinary Services

and

Farm Service 

Agency

and

Farm Production and 

Conservation 

Business Center

July 2023

 

Veterinary Services

Indemnity Table for 2023 

 Jun 
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 ii

Contributors

Ken Forsythe, Agricultural Economist, USDA–APHIS–VS–CEAH

Georgi Gabrielyan, Agricultural Economist, USDA–FPAC–BC

Charlotte Ham, Agricultural Economist and Project Lead, USDA–APHIS–VS–CEAH
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 iii

Table of Contents

Acronyms.......................................................................................................................................................................... iv

Definitions......................................................................................................................................................................... v

Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... vi

Introduction....................................................................................................................................................................... 1

1. Background and Goals.................................................................................................................................................... 1

2. Overview of Updates...................................................................................................................................................... 1

3. Indemnity Values............................................................................................................................................................ 3

Table 1. VS Indemnity Table for 2023................................................................................................................................. 3

Appendix. Calculation Methods and Data Sources for VS Indemnity Valuations.............................................................. 11

Values Calculated from Government Data Sources.......................................................................................................... 11

1. Beef Section.................................................................................................................................................................. 11

2. Dairy Section................................................................................................................................................................. 13

3. Buffalo/Bison and Beefalo Section ............................................................................................................................... 15

4. Swine Section ............................................................................................................................................................... 15

5. Sheep and Goat Section ............................................................................................................................................... 17

6. Poultry Section ............................................................................................................................................................. 18

7. Other Commodity Categories....................................................................................................................................... 20

Values Calculated from Five-year Census Surveys............................................................................................................ 21

Values Calculated from Limited Industry Surveys............................................................................................................. 24

Values Calculated from Publicly Available, Nationally Representative Online Sources.................................................... 24

References and Data Sources........................................................................................................................................... 26
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 iv

Acronyms

APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

AMS Agricultural Marketing Service

CEAH Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health

CWT Hundredweight

ERS Economic Research Service

FPAC–BC Farm Production and Conservation Business Center

FSA Farm Service Agency

FMV Fair Market Value

LIP Livestock Indemnity Program

LMIC Livestock Marketing Information Center

NASS National Agricultural Statistics Service

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

VS Veterinary Services

\ 
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 v

Definitions

Indemnity Monetary payment(s) made to a livestock owner for livestock deaths in 

excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather or by attacks by 

animals reintroduced into the wild by the Federal Government; and 

animals and animal products taken/destroyed to control/eradicate a 

disease.

Valuation Method The method used to estimate the monetary value of an asset. 

Methods include establishment of indemnity tables, appraisal 

evaluation, and Farm Service Agency (FSA) historical evaluation.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 vi

Executive Summary

This document contains indemnity values for animal agricultural commodities intended for use across

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies or business units that deal with indemnity programs. 

These entities include the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary 

Services (VS), USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the USDA Farm Production and Conservation 

Business Center (FPAC–BC). 

The values calculated from government data sources represent harmonized methods at the USDA 

level. Use of these values by APHIS–VS, FSA, and FPAC–BC will vary according to program differences 

across these agencies and business units. In addition, values based on five-year Census surveys, 

limited industry surveys, and publicly available, nationally representative online sources are included 

for USDA–APHIS–VS programs. 
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 1 

Introduction

1. Background and Goals

In 2019, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) began work on a new 

approach to indemnity value determination for animals. APHIS provides indemnity as incentive for producers to 

report disease and is authorized by Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR). 

This effort was initiated to meet the following goals:

• Harmonize valuation approaches across U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies. 

• Address stakeholder requests for a more simplified and unified approach. 

• Develop an approach that uses currently available vetted data. 

• Simplify and document the methods used to calculate values.

To achieve these goals, economists in the USDA developed harmonized methods to determine values for animal 

indemnity. The result of this effort was a 2020 table of indemnity values for commercial animal agricultural 

commodities intended for use across USDA agencies or business units that deal with indemnity programs, including 

the APHIS–VS, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the USDA Farm Production and Conservation Business Center

(FPAC–BC). Updated versions of this table with explicit methods were produced by VS annually through 2022 under 

the title “USDA Commercial Indemnity Table.” The data sources are primarily Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), 

Economic Research Service (ERS), and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). 

The USDA Commercial Indemnity Table did not include specialty or niche production classes of animals (e.g., 

purebred animals raised for seedstock, exotic breeds, organic animals, or special exhibition animals). Because VS

indemnifies a broader range of animals than FSA, there is a need for many additional categories. Therefore, in 2022, 

VS developed a supplemental table to provide indemnity values for specialty production classes called the “VS 

Specialty Indemnity Table.” The data sources expanded to include five-year Census surveys, limited industry surveys, 

and publicly available, nationally representative online sources. 

Now, in 2023, VS is publishing one table with the values specifically for VS programs called the “VS Indemnity Table.” 

This table includes many of the same categories as FSA and FPAC–BC. However, some categories differ in the level of 

aggregation, although the base prices are consistent. The VS categories and estimation methods for the shared 

commodities are described in the section on values from government sources (originally found in the USDA 

Commercial Indemnity Table). The remaining sections describe the methods for values from additional data sources 

(originally found in the VS Specialty Indemnity Table). 

2. Overview of Updates

In addition to the transition to one “VS Indemnity Table” described above, notable changes have occurred since the 

last publication. Additions or deletions to the production classes contained within this document, along with any 

substantive changes in calculation methods, are noted in this section. 

• The Weekly National Turkey Report began publishing the values for turkey hens, turkey toms, geese, and 

ducks in September 2022 (https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_3647.pdf).

• The value for swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (50–149 lbs.) is calculated using an average of (1) the nursery 

pigs price per pound and (2) the swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (150–299 lbs.) price per pound rather than 

the average of the values for those categories. This change was to harmonize methods across USDA agencies.

• Darlington Livestock Auction, Humeston Livestock Auction, Russellville Stockyards, and St. Joseph Stockyards 

Market did not observe goat sales in 2022.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 2

• Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Hun (Perdix perdix)/redleg partridge (Alectoris rufa), chukar 

partridge (Alectoris chukar), and quail (Coturnix coturnix) values and age categories were provided based on a 

survey conducted by the North American Gamebird Association. 

• Bird types that are raised in the United States exclusively for pet, exhibition, or ornamental purposes were 

excluded from the list because APHIS does not consider them poultry.

• There are no premiums for organic dairy cattle or “other” cattle categories, but there is a premium for beef 

cattle in this update. 

• Ostrich was added by FSA in 2023.

• Standard and exotic fowl categories are based on age instead of weight to aid in disease response. Male and 

female values were differentiated in this update. The standard and exotic fowl values are for producers with 

less than 500 birds. 

• June 2023: added molted hen (86-115 weeks), spent one-cycle hen (86+ weeks), and spent molted hen (116+ 

weeks) based on LOHMANN-LSL-Lite-Cage-1.pdf (lohmann-breeders.com).
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 3 

3. Indemnity Values 

Table 1. VS Indemnity Table for 2023

Class $ Value per head 

2023

(100% market value)

Beef

Non-adult beef cattle, <12 months of age

Non-adult (<250 lbs.) 266.26 

Non-adult (<400 lbs., changed to 250–399 lbs. for 2020) 720.63 

Non-adult (400–799 lbs.) steers 1,037.18 

Non-adult (400–799 lbs.) heifers 912.72 

Non-age specific (intended for larger feeder animals rather than breeding animals)

Feeder steers or heifers (800+ lbs.) 1,659.48

Adult beef cattle, 12+ months of age

Adult cull cow (non-bred) 1,010.50 

Adult cow bred 1,550.97 

Adult bull 2,016.26 

Adult open heifer or cow (non-cull) 1,161.64 

Adult bred heifer 1,298.34

Dairy

Non-adult dairy cattle, <12 months of age

Non-adult (<250 lbs.) 70.84 

Non-adult (<400 lbs., changed to 250–399 lbs. for 2020) 399.38 

Non-adult (400–799 lbs.) steers 798.75 

Non-adult (400–799 lbs.) heifers 798.75 

Non-age specific (intended for larger feeder animals rather than breeding animals)

Steers or heifers (800+ lbs.) 1,304.63

Adult dairy cattle, 12+ months of age

Adult heifer or cow 1,597.50 

Adult bull 1,672.03 

Buffalo/bison

Non-adult buffalo/bison, <12 months of age

Non-adult (<250 lbs.) 441.06 

Non-adult (250–399 lbs.) 784.53 

Non-adult (400–799 lbs.) 1,599.98 

Non-age specific (intended for larger feeder animals rather than breeding animals)

Steers or heifers (800+ lbs.) 2,147.89
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 4 

Adult buffalo/bison, 12+ months of age

Adult heifer or cow 1,946.91 

Adult bull 2,348.86 

Beefalo

Non-adult beefalo, <12 months of age

Non-adult (<250 lbs.) 331.81 

Non-adult (250–399 lbs.) 744.59 

Non-adult (400–799 lbs.) 1,222.30 

Non-age specific (intended for larger feeder animals rather than breeding animals)

Steers or heifers (800+ lbs.) 1,842.63 

Adult beefalo, 12+ months of age

Adult heifer or cow 1,699.45 

Adult bull 2,140.99 

Swine 

Isoweans (<15 lbs.) 50.34

Nursery (15–49 lbs.) 79.14

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (50–149 lbs.) 135.53

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (150–299 lbs.) 190.34

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (300–449 lbs.) 289.17

Swine, sows/boars (450+ lbs.) 355.86

Sheep

Baby lambs (<50 lbs.) 122.81

Lambs (51–99 lbs.), includes replacement ewe lambs retained for breeding 296.63

Slaughter lambs (100+ lbs.) 244.44

Yearling ewes maintained for breeding (12–24 months) (not late gestation) 311.14

Yearling ewes (12–24 months), late gestation (last 4 weeks) 403.25

Young ewes maintained for breeding (25–48 months) (not late gestation) 248.52

Young ewes (25–48 months), late gestation (last 4 weeks) 340.63

Middle-aged ewes maintained for breeding (49–72 months) (not late gestation) 219.83

Middle-aged ewes (49–72 months), late gestation (last 4 weeks) 311.94

Aged ewes (73+ months) (not late gestation), includes mature sheep in slaughter channels 

and wethers too old to slaughter as lambs (12+ months based on eruption of first incisors)

198.67

Aged ewes (6+ years), late gestation (last 4 weeks) 290.78

Sire rams of reproductive age 739.70

Goats

Bucks maintained for breeding (12+ months) 287.50 

Seedstock nannies/does maintained for breeding (12+ months) (not late gestation) 183.57 
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 5 

Seedstock nannies/does maintained for breeding (12+ months), late gestation (last 4 

weeks)

278.60 

Other adult goats (nannies/does/bucks) not maintained for breeding (12+ months) 138.96 

Other adult nannies/does (12+ months), late gestation (last 4 weeks) 234.00 

Kids (<40 lbs.) 126.71 

Kids (40–60 lbs.) 159.79 

Kids (60–80 lbs.) 203.51 

Kids (81+ lbs.) 273.96 

Chickens, layers

Table eggs ($/dozen) 2.33

Chick (0–1 week) 0.42

Pullet (2–17 weeks) 4.65

Layer 1st lay (18–45 weeks) 18.31

Layer 2nd lay (46–65 weeks) 9.16

Pre-spent hen (66–85 weeks) 4.58

Molted hen (86-115 weeks) 4.58

Spent one-cycle hen (86+ weeks) 0.01

Spent molted hen (116+ weeks) 0.01

Chickens, broilers

Chickens, deboning/roasters, super roasters/parts (49+ days of age) 7.78 

Chickens, roasters (42–48 days of age) 5.92 

Chickens, broilers (32–41 days of age) 4.65 

Chickens, broilers (<32 days of age) and small Cornish hens 3.13 

Chickens, chicks 0.42 

Turkeys

Turkeys, toms (84+ days of age) 36.39 

Turkeys, toms (49–83 days of age) 29.77 

Turkeys, hens (77+ days of age) 23.13 

Turkeys, hens (49–77 days of age) 16.52 

Turkeys, fryers and roasters (8–49 days of age) 11.57 

Turkeys, poults (0–7 days of age) 3.11 

Other

Ducks (12+ weeks of age) 5.72 

Ducklings (<12 weeks of age) 0.91 

Goose (12+ weeks of age) 58.11 

Gosling (<12 weeks of age) 12.20 
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 6 

Deer, caribou, reindeer1 657.18 

Elk2 912.23 

Equine 1,114.10 

Alpaca 486.66 

Llama 393.39 

Emu 262.14 

Ostrich 1,191.04

Beef – organic

Adult beef cattle, 12+ months of age

Adult cull cow (non-bred) – organic 1173.20

Adult cow bred – organic 1800.69

Adult open heifer or cow (non-cull) – organic 1348.67

Adult bred heifer – organic 1507.39

Swine – organic

Isoweans (<15 lbs.) – organic 81.89

Nursery (15–49 lbs.) – organic 128.74

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (50–149 lbs.) – organic 220.47

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (150–299 lbs.) – organic 309.63

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (300–449 lbs.) – organic 470.40

Swine, sows/boars (450+ lbs.) – organic 578.88

Chickens, broilers – organic

Chickens, deboning/roasters, super roasters/parts (49+ days of age) – organic 11.47

Chickens, roasters (42–48 days of age) – organic 8.73

Chickens, broilers (32–41 days of age) – organic 6.86

Chickens, broilers (8–31 days of age) and small Cornish hens – organic 4.61

Chickens, chicks (0–7 days of age) – organic 0.62

Turkeys – organic

Turkeys, toms (84+ days of age) – organic 58.11

Turkeys, toms (49–83 days of age) – organic 47.55

Turkeys, hens (78+ days of age) – organic 24.88

Turkeys, hens (49–77 days of age) – organic 17.77

Turkeys, fryers and roasters (8–48 days of age) – organic 16.59

Turkeys, poults (0–7 days of age) – organic 4.45

Turkeys – breeder

Turkeys, male (392+ days of age, spent) – breeder 36.39

1 VS uses this value for adult animals produced for meat. It does not include non-adult animals.

2 VS uses this value for adult animals produced for meat. It does not include non-adult animals.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 7 

Turkeys, male (238–391 days of age) – breeder 119.49

Turkeys, male (196–237 days of age) – breeder 202.59

Turkeys, male (49–195 days of age) – breeder 133.51

Turkeys, male (8–48 days of age) – breeder 64.43

Turkeys, male (0–7 days of age) – breeder 17.29

Turkeys, female (392+ days of age, spent) – breeder 23.13

Turkeys, female (238–391 days of age) – breeder 61.38

Turkeys, female (196–237 days of age) – breeder 99.64

Turkeys, female (49–195 days of age) – breeder 74.74

Turkeys, female (8–48 days of age) – breeder 49.84

Turkeys, female (0–7 days of age) – breeder 13.38

Upland game fowl

Ring-necked pheasant, hatching egg 0.78

Ring-necked pheasant, chick (0–20 days) 1.65

Ring-necked pheasant, 3 weeks (21–41 days) 4.27

Ring-necked pheasant, 6 weeks (42–62 days) 6.88

Ring-necked pheasant, 9 weeks (63–83 days) 9.50

Ring-necked pheasant, 12 weeks (84–104 days) 12.12

Ring-necked pheasant, 15 weeks (105–125 days) 14.73

Ring-necked pheasant, 18 weeks (126–146 days) 17.35

Ring-necked pheasant, breeder 52.05

Hun/redleg partridge, hatching egg 2.26

Hun/redleg partridge, chick (0–20 days) 4.16

Hun/redleg partridge, 3 weeks (21–41 days) 6.51

Hun/redleg partridge, 6 weeks (42–62 days) 8.85

Hun/redleg partridge, 9 weeks (63–83 days) 11.20

Hun/redleg partridge, 12 weeks (84–104 days) 13.54

Hun/redleg partridge, 15 weeks (105–125 days) 15.89

Hun/redleg partridge, breeder 47.67

Chukar partridge, hatching egg 1.28

Chukar partridge, chick (0–20 days) 1.78

Chukar partridge, 3 weeks (21–41 days) 3.75

Chukar partridge, 6 weeks (42–62 days) 5.71

Chukar partridge, 9 weeks (63–83 days) 7.68

Chukar partridge, 12 weeks (84–104 days) 9.64

Chukar partridge, 15 weeks (105–125 days) 11.61

Chukar partridge, breeder 34.83

Quail, hatching egg 0.51

Quail, chick (0–20 days) 1.15

Quail, 3 weeks (21–41 days) 2.73

Quail, 6 weeks (42–62 days) 4.30

Quail, 9 weeks (63–83 days) 5.88
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 8 

Quail, 12 weeks (84–104 days) 7.45

Quail, breeder 22.35

Deer

Buck deer for meat 985.77

Doe deer for meat 657.18

Buck deer for breeding/stocking 2028.16

Doe deer for breeding/stocking 811.27

Non-adult male deer 253.52

Non-adult female deer 135.21

Elk

Bull elk for meat 1368.34

Cow elk for meat 912.23

Bull elk for breeding/stocking 2396.43

Cow elk for breeding/stocking 958.57

Non-adult male elk 299.55

Non-adult female elk 159.76

Other seedstock

Alpaca (seedstock) 1453.33

Llama (seedstock) 692.75

Standard and exotic fowl (small scale production – 500 birds or less)

Chickens, show, hatching eggs 7.05

Chickens, show, young male (0–77 days) 11.89

Chickens, show, juvenile male (78–147 days) 32.01

Chickens, show, adult male (148+ days) 41.43

Chickens, show, young female (0–77 days) 11.89

Chickens, show, juvenile female (78–147 days) 29.94

Chickens, show, adult female (148+ days) 37.29

Chickens, hatching eggs 2.82

Chickens, young male (0–77 days) 4.76

Chickens, juvenile male (78–147 days) 14.18

Chickens, adult male (148+ days) 23.60

Chickens, young female (0–77 days) 4.76

Chickens, juvenile female (78–147 days) 12.11

Chickens, adult female (148+ days) 19.46

Ducks, show, hatching eggs 14.88

Ducks, show, young male (0–70 days) 25.10

Ducks, show, juvenile male (71–315 days) 59.25

Ducks, show, adult male (316+ days) 70.81

Ducks, show, young female (0–70 days) 25.10
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 9

Ducks, show, juvenile female (71–315 days) 57.60

Ducks, show, adult female (316+ days) 67.50

Ducks, hatching eggs 5.95

Ducks, young male (0–70 days) 10.04

Ducks, juvenile male (71–315 days) 21.60

Ducks, adult male (316+ days) 33.16

Ducks, young female (0–70 days) 10.04

Ducks, juvenile female (71–315 days) 19.95

Ducks, adult female (316+ days) 29.86

Geese, show, hatching eggs 35.61

Geese, show, young male (0–56 days) 60.08

Geese, show, juvenile male (57–1036 days) 150.56

Geese, show, adult male (1037+ days) 186.97

Geese, show, young female (0–56 days) 60.08

Geese, show, juvenile female (57–1036 days) 144.17

Geese, show, adult female (1037+ days) 174.2

Geese, hatching eggs 14.24

Geese, young male (0–56 days) 24.03

Geese, juvenile male (57–1036 days) 60.44

Geese, adult male (1037+ days) 96.85

Geese, young female (0–56 days) 24.03

Geese, juvenile female (57–1036 days) 54.06

Geese, adult female (1037+ days) 84.08

Guineas, hatching eggs 4.62

Guineas, young male (0–35 days) 7.79

Guineas, juvenile male (36–364 days) 15.56

Guineas, adult male (365+ days) 23.32

Guineas, young female (0–35 days) 7.79

Guineas, juvenile female (36–364 days) 14.26

Guineas, adult female (365+ days) 20.73

Peafowl, hatching eggs 28.39

Peafowl, young male (0–133 days) 47.9

Peafowl, juvenile male (134–791 days) 75.25

Peafowl, adult male (792+ days) 102.59

Peafowl, young female (0–133 days) 47.90

Peafowl, juvenile female (134–791 days) 65.78

Peafowl, adult female (792+ days) 83.66

Squab, hatching eggs 1.52

Squab, young male (0–35 days) 2.51

Squab, juvenile male (36–252 days) 10.6

Squab, adult male (253+ days) 16.17

Squab, young female (0–35 days) 2.62

Squab, juvenile female (36–252 days) 10.71
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 10

Squab, adult female (253+ days) 16.17

Turkeys, show, hatching eggs 20.91

Turkeys, show, young male (0–56 days) 35.29

Turkeys, show, juvenile male (57–315 days) 111.94

Turkeys, show, adult male (316+ days) 156.83

Turkeys, show, young female (0–56 days) 35.29

Turkeys, show, juvenile female (57–315 days) 91.85

Turkeys, show, adult female (316+ days) 116.66

Turkeys, hatching eggs 8.37

Turkeys, young male (0–56 days) 14.11

Turkeys, juvenile male (57–315 days) 59.01

Turkeys, adult male (316+ days) 103.90

Turkeys, young female (0–56 days) 14.11

Turkeys, juvenile female (57–315 days) 38.92

Turkeys, adult female (316+ days) 63.73
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 11

Appendix. Calculation Methods and Data Sources for VS Indemnity 

Valuations

Note. The term hundredweight (cwt) is used in this section. 

Values Calculated from Government Data Sources

1. Beef Section

Non-adult beef cattle, <12 months of age

Beef non-adult (<250 lbs.)

This estimated value retains the proportional difference between beef non-adult (<250 lbs.) and beef nonadult (250–399 lbs.) estimated by FSA in 2020.

Beef non-adult (250–399 lbs.)

Estimated value is 375 lbs. worth of the NASS cattle (calves). The data used for these calculations are NASS 

Quick Stats values for CATTLE, CALVES - PRICE RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / CWT available at 

https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov. 

The parameters for downloading the necessary report are:

Program: Survey

Sector: Animals & Products

Group: Livestock

Commodity: Cattle

Category: Prices Received

Data Item(s): “CATTLE, CALVES - PRICE RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / CWT” 

Domain: Total

Geographic Level: National

State: US Total

Year: [enter year as needed]

Period Type: Monthly

Period: January through December

Beef non-adult (400–799 lbs.) steers

Estimated value is 625 lbs. worth of the average annual cwt value obtained from the Oklahoma National 

Stockyards Feeder Cattle sales report: https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_1280.pdf. 

Beef non-adult (400–799 lbs.) heifers

Estimated value is 550 lbs. worth of the average annual cwt value obtained from the Oklahoma National 

Stockyards Feeder Cattle sales report: https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_1280.pdf. 

Non-age specific (intended for larger feeder animals rather than breeding animals)

Beef feeder steers or heifers (800+ lbs.)

Estimated value is 1,000 lbs. worth of the average annual cwt value obtained from the Oklahoma National 

Stockyards Feeder Cattle sales report: https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_1280.pdf. 
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 12

Adult beef cattle, 12+ months of age

Adult cull cow (non-bred)

Estimated value is 1,200 lbs. worth of the NASS cattle. The data used for these calculations are NASS Quick 

Stats values for CATTLE, COWS - PRICE RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / CWT available at 

https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov. 

The parameters for downloading the necessary report are:

Program: Survey

Sector: Animals & Products

Group: Livestock

Commodity: Cattle

Category: Prices Received

Data Item(s): “CATTLE, COWS - PRICE RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / CWT” 

Domain: Total

Geographic Level: National

State: US Total

Year: [enter year as needed]

Period Type: Monthly

Period: January through December

Adult cow bred

Estimated value is based on the adult cull cow value plus 75 percent of the beef non-adult (250–400 lbs.) 

value.

Adult bull

Estimated value is based on the adult cow bred value plus 30 percent.

Adult open heifers (or cows)

Estimated value is 700 lbs. worth of the average annual cwt value obtained from the Oklahoma National 

Stockyards Feeder Cattle sales report: https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_1280.pdf. 

Bred heifers

Estimated value is 900 lbs. worth of the NASS plus 75 percent of the beef non-adult (250–400 lbs.) value.

The data used for these calculations are NASS Quick Stats values for CATTLE, COWS - PRICE RECEIVED, 

MEASURED IN $ / HUNDREDWEIGHT (CWT) available at https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov. 

The parameters for downloading the necessary report are:

Program: Survey

Sector: Animals & Products

Group: Livestock

Commodity: Cattle

Category: Prices Received

Data Item(s): “CATTLE, COWS - PRICE RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / CWT” 

Domain: Total
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 13

Geographic Level: National

State: US Total

Year: [enter year as needed]

Period Type: Monthly

Period: January through December

2. Dairy Section

Non-adult dairy cattle, <12 months of age

Dairy non-adult (<250 lbs.)

This estimated value retains the proportional difference between dairy non-adult (<250 lbs.) and dairy non-adult 

(250–399 lbs.) estimated by FSA in 2020.

Dairy non-adult (250–399 lbs.)

Value is based on 25 percent of the adult cow value.

Dairy non-adult (400–799 lbs.) steers and heifers

Value is based on 50 percent of the adult cow value.

Non-age specific (intended for larger feeder animals rather than breeding animals)

Dairy steers or heifers (800+ lbs.) 

Assumes 1,000 lbs. of representative weight. Uses the average of per pound price of adult dairy cows and non-adult 

dairy cows (400–799 lbs.) as the price. The 2020 formula is 1,000*(average (adult dairy cow value per head/

representative weight), non-adult (400–799 lbs.)/representative weight). 

Adult dairy cattle, 12+ months of age

Dairy adult cow (or heifer)

The data used for these calculations are quarterly NASS Quick Stats values for CATTLE, COWS, MILK - PRICE 

RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / CWT available at https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov. 

The parameters for downloading the necessary report are:

Program: Survey

Sector: Animals & Products

Group: Livestock

Commodity: Cattle

Category: Prices Received

Data Item(s): “CATTLE, COWS, MILK - PRICE RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / CWT” 

Domain: Total

Geographic Level: National

State: US Total

Year: [enter year as needed]

Period Type: Monthly

Period: January through December
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 14

Dairy adult bull

The data source for bulls is the AMS report (LM_CT168) National Weekly Direct Cow and Bull Report - Negotiated 

Price, available at https://mpr.datamart.ams.usda.gov/menu.do?path=Products\Cattle\Weekly Cattle\(LM_CT168) 

National Weekly Direct Cow and Bull Report - Negotiated Price. 

Select “Detail” for “Sub Reports Type” and select dates for the report (in “Report Dates” field on the webpage).

Leave the rest as default settings and press “Continue.” Use the default settings, select “CSV” file format, and press 

“Generate Report.” Select “Download Detail File.” Convert the .csv file to a .xlsx file. In the converted file, create a pivot 

table as follows. “Selling Basis” goes in the “Filters” area. Select the options of DRESSED and DRESSED – DOMESTIC for 

Selling Basis. “Classification,” “Weight Range,” and “Sum Values” go into the “Columns” area (“Sum Values” shows up 

automatically). “Region Name” goes in the “Rows” area. “Head Count,” “Average Weight,” and “Weighted Avg Price” 

go into the “Sum Values” area. In the “Sum Values” area, click on each field to bring up a pull-down menu. Pick “Value 

Field Settings” from the pull-down menu. This brings up options for summarizing each of the fields in the area. For 

“Head Count,” select “Sum.” For the other two fields, select “Average.” 

This pivot table includes carcass prices in $/cwt for bulls 600+ lbs. along with average carcass weights. The assumed 

dressing percentage is 60 percent based on an analysis of USDA NASS data (USDA NASS, February 2020). These data 

were downloaded from https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov. 

The parameters for downloading the necessary report are:

Program: Survey

Sector: Animals & Products

Group: Livestock

Commodity: Cattle

Category: Slaughtered

Data Item(s): “CATTLE, GE 500 LBS, SLAUGHTER, COMMERCIAL, FI - SLAUGHTERED, MEASURED IN LB / HEAD, 

DRESSED BASIS” and “CATTLE, GE 500 LBS, SLAUGHTER, COMMERCIAL - SLAUGHTERED, MEASURED IN LB / HEAD, 

LIVE BASIS”

Domain: Total

Geographic Level: National

State: US Total

Year: [enter year as needed]

Period Type: Monthly

Period: January through December

Multiply the carcass prices by the dressing percentage to get the price of a 1,000+ lbs. live weight bull in $/cwt.

Divide the average carcass weights of bulls in the 600+ lbs. category by the dressing percentage to get the average 

live weight of bulls in the 1,000+ lbs. category.

Multiple the live weight price in $/cwt by the average live weight and divide the result by 100 to get $/head for bulls 

in the 1,000+ lbs. category.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 15

3. Buffalo/Bison and Beefalo Section

Buffalo/bison

Estimated values for all buffalo/bison categories are indexed forward from the previous year’s values using weighted 

annual average bison carcass values (weighted by type and number of head). Bison carcass values are obtained from 

the AMS NW_LS_526 reports.

Beefalo

Values for all beefalo categories are assumed to be a weighted average of 3/8 of the value of bison and 5/8 of the 

value of beef cattle for the equivalent cohort category. For the beef 400–799 lbs. category, an average of the steer 

and heifer value is used. 

4. Swine Section

Unless otherwise noted, all values for the swine section are calculated using information from the Livestock 

Marketing Information Center (LMIC) website (LMIC, January 2021). The specific information is found in the 

following spreadsheets posted on the LMIC site:

• Weekly National Feeder Pig Prices (FeederPigsNational.xls)

• Daily National Sow Price (PriorDaySowPurchaseNational.xls)

• Weekly Prices & Volumes for Barrows & Gilts and Sows (WeeklyDirectSwine.xls). 

To download these spreadsheets, go to the LMIC website at http://www.lmic.info/. 

Accessing the necessary information from LMIC requires member access (USDA is a member), including 

username and password. Once logged in, go to “Members Only” on the toolbar to get a drop-down menu and 

select “Spreadsheets,” then “Hogs” and “Prices.” The spreadsheets listed above can be found in the Prices 

section.

Isoweans (<15 lbs.) 

The data used for these calculations are found in the FeederPigsNational.xls spreadsheet in the “EW10-12” 

tab under the column headings of Total Composite (Price per Head) > Formula & Cash > Wtd Avg Price. The 

values in this column are reported weekly. The calculation is an annual average across the weekly prices. The 

assumed average weight for isoweans is 11 lbs. (The weight is not used in the calculations.)

Nursery pigs (15–49 lbs.) 

The data used for these calculations are found in the FeederPigsNational.xls spreadsheet in the “40” tab 

under the column headings of Total Composite (Price per Head) > Formula & Cash > Wtd Avg Price. The 

values in this column are reported weekly. The calculation is an annual average across the weekly prices. The 

assumed average weight for nursery pigs is 40 lbs. (The weight is not used in the calculations.)
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 16

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (50–149 lb) 3

This value is calculated as 100 lbs. times an average of the nursery pigs price per pound above and the swine, 

sows, boars, barrows, gilts (150–299 lbs.) price per pound described below. 

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (150–299 lbs.) 4

The value for this category is based on the HOGS, BARROWS & GILTS - PRICE RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / 

CWT from NASS Quick Stats available at https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov. 

The parameters for downloading the necessary report are:

Program: Survey

Sector: Animals & Products

Group: Livestock

Commodity: Hogs

Category: Prices Received

Data Item(s): “HOGS, BARROWS & GILTS - PRICE RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / CWT” 

Domain: Total

Geographic Level: National

State: US Total

Year: [enter year as needed]

Period Type: Monthly

Period: January through December

The calculation is an annual average across the monthly prices. The prices are presented in $/cwt. To convert 

to $/head, this price is multiplied by an assumed average weight (260 lbs.) and then divided by 100.

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (300–449 lbs.) 5

The data used for these calculations are also based on the HOGS, BARROWS & GILTS - PRICE RECEIVED, 

MEASURED IN $ / CWT from NASS Quick Stats [same as above: swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (150–299

lbs.)]. The calculation is an annual average across monthly prices. To convert to $/head, this price is 

multiplied by an assumed average weight (395 lbs.) and then divided by 100.

3 The breakpoint between the 50–149 lbs. and the 150–299 lbs. groups is based on prior USDA Farm Service Agency swine categories. Weights 

of market hogs have been increasing rapidly in recent years. This breakpoint may need to be re-evaluated in the future.

4 This category differs from FSA because it is based on different datasets due to differences in categories. FSA averages values for feeder pigs and 

swine 150–450 lbs.

5 Used NASS data for these categories rather than the LMIC data used for the previous year due to COVID-19 market disruptions evident in the 

data source. Using the NASS data as described gave a slightly higher value for the 300–449 lbs. category.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 17

Swine, sows, boars, barrows, gilts (450+ lbs.)

The data used for these calculations are NASS Quick Stats values for HOGS, SOWS - PRICE RECEIVED, 

MEASURED IN $ / CWT available at https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov. 

The parameters for downloading the necessary report are:

Program: Survey

Sector: Animals & Products

Group: Livestock

Commodity: Hogs

Category: Prices Received

Data Item(s): “HOGS, SOWS - PRICE RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $ / CWT” 

Domain: Total

Geographic Level: National

State: US Total

Year: [enter year as needed]

Period Type: Monthly

Period: January through December

The calculation is an annual average across monthly prices. To convert to $/head, this price is multiplied by 

an assumed average weight (525 lbs.) and then divided by 100.

5. Sheep and Goat Section

Sheep

The values for the sheep section can be obtained from reports downloaded from the AMS website (USDA AMS, 

January 2021b) at https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/search-market-news. 

From this page, search for the National Monthly Replacement Sheep Report GL_LS336. This report is released 

monthly. Values for the sheep categories shown in Table 1 can be found in these reports. An annual average is taken 

of the monthly prices shown in these reports.

The value from this report for ewe lambs under 12 months of age is used as representative of lambs from 51–99 lbs., 

including replacement ewe lambs retained for breeding. 

For ewes in late gestation (last 4 weeks), 75 percent of the baby lamb value is added to the corresponding ewe 

category. 

The ram value is calculated using the reported values for rams under 12 months (the only information available) 

times 1.3 to account for cost of feeding older rams. 

The slaughter lamb price is calculated using weekly values in cents per pound from the AMS St. Joseph report 

(https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lm_lm352.txt) times the representative weight (140 lbs.) divided by 100 to 

get the dollar value. 
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 18

Goats

Values for bucks and nannies are calculated from the following market report auction prices obtained from USDA 

AMS, available at https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/. 

• Buffalo Livestock Market

• Calhoun

• Cullman Stockyards

• Eastanollee

• Kalona Livestock Auction

• Montgomery County Livestock Auction

• Orangeburg Livestock Auction

• Producers Auction Yards (Missouri)

• Producers Livestock Auction Co - San Angelo

• Public Auction Yards

• Saluda Livestock Auction

• SEMO Livestock Sales

• Sioux Falls Regional Livestock

• TS White Sheep and Goat Sale

An annual average is calculated from the monthly reported values. The annual average buck value is multiplied by 1.3 

to allow for the cost of feeding bucks to maturity since the bucks sold at market are young animals less than 12 

months of age. 

Remaining values for the goat section are calculated from San Angelo, TX, auction prices obtained from the LMIC. 

For the other adult goats category, an annual average is taken across meat goats for slaughter bucks and nannies

(converted from $/cwt to $/head at a representative live weight of 100 lbs.). For each of the kid categories, an annual 

average is taken across all grades for the given weight categories of feeder and slaughter kids (converted from $/cwt 

to $/head at representative live weights of 35, 50, 70, and 90 lbs. for each of the four kid goat categories).

For nannies in late gestation (last 4 weeks), 75 percent of the kid goat (<40 lbs.) value is added to the corresponding 

adult goat category.

6. Poultry Section

Chickens, broilers

Based on (a) NASS Quick Stats broiler value times (b) representative weight within weight range. 

(a) NASS Quick Stats Broiler Value: https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/. 

The parameters for downloading the necessary report are:

Program: Survey

Sector: Animals & Products

Group: Poultry

Commodity: Chickens

Category: Prices Received

Data Item(s): “CHICKENS. BROILERS-PRICES RECEIVED, MEASURED IN $/LB”

Domain: Total
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 19

Geographic Level: National

State: US Total

Year: [enter year as needed] 

Period Type: Monthly

Period: January through December

(b) Representative Weight within Weight Range

Category Pounds

Chickens, deboning/roasters (>7.75 lbs.) [Super roasters/parts] 9.2

Chickens, (6.26–7.75 lbs.) [Roasters] 7

Chickens, (4.26–6.25 lbs.) [Broilers/Pullets] 5.5

Chickens, (<4.25 lbs.) [Broilers/Cornish hens small] 3.7

Chickens, chicks 0.5

Weights were converted to age ranges using the publicly available Aviagen Ross 308 and Ross 308 FF 

performance objectives for 2019 (Aviagen, 2019).

Chickens, layers

Layer 1st lay (18–45 weeks)

NASS Chicken and Eggs Annual Summary (page 63) reported in February 2022 at 

https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/1v53jw96n?locale=en. 

Value per head; United States: December 1, 2020–2021 [Excludes commercial broilers]

2023 value = 2022 value per head times (table egg price 2023/table egg price 2022). 

Layer 2nd lay (46–65 weeks): half layer 1st lay value. 

Pre-spent hen (66–85 6 weeks): half layer 2nd lay value. 

Pullets and chicks are the same values as in the broiler section.

Spent hens are assigned a value of $0.01.

Table eggs ($/dozen) 

Access NASS Quick Stats at https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/. 

6 Spent hen at 86 weeks reference: Karcher, Darrin and Joy Mench, “Overview of commercial poultry production systems and their 

main welfare challenges” in Advances in Poultry Welfare, Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition 2018, 

pages 3–25. 
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 20

The parameter values for downloading the necessary report are as follows:

Program: Survey

Sector: Animals and Products

Group: Poultry

Commodity: Eggs

Category: Price Received

Data Item: Eggs, Table – Price Received, Measured in $/dozen

Domain: Total

Geographic Level: National

State: US Total

Year: [enter year as needed] 

Period Type: Monthly 

Period: [enter month as needed] 

The annual value is calculated using the monthly data for the previous calendar year.

Turkeys

Hens and toms

The AMS Weekly National Fresh and Frozen Whole Young Turkeys Report (USDA AMS, January 2021b) is the 

data source for the turkey commercial indemnity values. The report is available prior to September 2022 at

https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/turkey-market-news-reports. Starting in September 2022, the 

information is reported at https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/viewReport/3647. The report provides 

weekly values for fresh hens (8–16 lbs.) and toms (16–24 lbs.) in cents per pound to be used when calculating 

the annual values for the previous calendar year. The estimated weights for each age range are as follows: 

hens age 49–77 days (10 lbs.), hens age 78+ days (14 lbs.), toms age 49–83 days (18 lbs.), and toms age 84+ 

days (22 lbs.). The weights are then multiplied by the average annual value for each classification. An 

additional category for roasters and fryers (5–9 lbs.) is calculated using the midpoint weight, 7 lbs., times the 

average price per pound for hens and toms combined. 

Weights were converted to age ranges using the publicly available Aviagen performance objectives for 

Nicholas Select, B.U.T 6, and Premium turkeys (Aviagen, undated).

Poults

Annual average value based on weekly reports from Graystone Small Animal Auction Sale, available at 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_2753.pdf. 

7. Other Commodity Categories 

Methods and data sources adopted from USDA FSA LIP Table for 2021 adjusted to 100 percent of market value

(USDA FSA, January 2021).

Ducks (12+ weeks of age)

Initial data source: USDA AMS WEEKLY CENTRAL REGION DUCKLING (NW_PY046). (1) Assuming 4.5 lbs. per duck 

times the average annual mid-point price per lbs. (2) Take farm price of broilers NASS Quick Stats. (3) AMS report 
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 21

2758 monthly composite weighted average. (4) Obtain the ratio of (2)/(3) for the reporting year. (5) Take the 4-year 

rolling average of the ratio (4). (6) Multiply the price obtained in (1) by the ratio obtained in (5).

Ducklings (<12 weeks of age)

Assumes 16 percent of the value of mature duck.

Goose (12+ weeks of age)

Initial data source: USDA AMS WHOLESALE NEW YORK CITY GOOSE PRICE (AJ_PY038). (1) Assuming 12 lbs. per goose 

times the average annual mid-point price per lbs. (2) Take farm price of broilers NASS Quick Stats. (3) AMS report 

2758 monthly composite weighted average. (4) Obtain the ratio of (2)/(3) for the reporting year. (5) Take the 4-year 

rolling average of the ratio (4). (6) Multiply the price obtained in (1) by the ratio obtained in (5).

Gosling (<12 weeks of age) 

Assumes 21 percent value of mature goose.

Deer, caribou, reindeer

Initial public data source: None. Adjusts the FSA LIP payment rate of the previous year by the year-over-year value 

change in adult beef (cull) cow. (See Beef Section above).

Elk

Initial public data source: None. Adjusts the FSA LIP payment rate of the previous year by the year-over-year value 

change in adult beef (cull) cow. (See Beef Section above).

Equine, alpaca, llama, ostrich, and emu 

Distinct values for each species. Initial public data source: None. Adjust the FSA LIP payment rate of the previous year 

by the year-over-year value change in adult beef (cull) cow. (See Beef Section above).

Values Calculated from Five-year Census Surveys

Organic

The calculated values are based on Census of Agriculture surveys conducted at five-year intervals by NASS in 

connection with the Census of Agriculture. Information regarding the Census of Agriculture is available at 

https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/index.php. More about the Organic Survey is available at 

https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/Organics/index.php. 

Data from the Census of Agriculture can be obtained from: https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/. 

Calculated values are shown in relation to the 2023 USDA Commercial Indemnity Table and estimated premium 

values. The premiums are calculated as the value from the 2019 Organic Survey relative to the 2023 USDA 

Commercial Table value expressed as a percentage.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 22

Specialty animal group Organic value (2019) Commercial Premium

table value (2023) 

Beef cow $1,348.67 $1,161.64 7

 16.10% 

Hogs and pigs $309.63 $190.34 8

 62.67% 

Chickens, broilers $6.86 $4.65 9 47.43% 

Turkeys $47.42 $33.08 10 43.35% 11

The premium percentages calculated above are applied to the values provided in the commercial table to estimate 

the values for organic cattle, organic swine, and organic broilers shown in Table 1. The premium percentage for

organic turkeys calculated above is applied to those organic turkey categories shown in Table 1 that are not covered

in the section below regarding values calculated from limited industry surveys.

Other non-organic animal species

These calculated values from the five-year Census surveys are shown in comparison to those currently used in the 

FSA Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). These values are available at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSAPublic/usdafiles/FactSheets/livestock_indemnity_program_lip-fact_sheet.pdf. Note that the LIP values are adjusted 

to 75 percent of market meat value. The values from the five-year Census surveys are aggregates, not limited to meat 

values. Therefore, a premium percentage is not calculated between the two values.

Specialty animal group Survey value (2017) FSA “Other” value (100% market value) 2023 

Alpaca $1,453.33 $486.66

Deer $1,622.53 $657.18

Elk $1,917.14 $912.23

Llama $692.75 $393.39

The values presented above from the 2017 survey are applied to adult alpacas and llamas used specifically as genetic 

seedstock. Other adult Alpacas and Llamas are valued as indicated in the USDA Commercial Table. The values 

presented above for deer and elk are used in the calculations described below for specialty deer and elk categories. 

Subcategories of animal production classes not included in commercial indemnity tables

A set of indemnity values for deer and elk is estimated based on the values presented above and a set of adjustment 

factors developed for deer and applied to both deer and elk values from the 2017 Census survey. The adjusted values 

for various subcategories of deer and elk are presented below and in Table 1. 

Subdivisions of deer values:

Buck deer for meat $985.77

Doe deer for meat $657.18

7 This is the value for an adult open beef heifer or cow (non-cull) from the USDA Commercial Indemnity Table.

8 This is the value for swine, sows, boars, barrows, and gilts (150–300 lbs.) from the USDA Commercial Indemnity Table.

9 This is the value for broilers/pullets regular size from the USDA Commercial Indemnity Table.

10 This is an average value for tom turkeys from the USDA Commercial Indemnity Table.

11 See the values for organic turkeys and the related footnote in the Values Calculated from Limited Industry Surveys section.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 23

Buck deer for breeding/stocking12 $2,028.16

Doe deer for breeding/stocking $811.27

Non-adult male deer $253.52

Non-adult female deer $135.21

Subdivisions of elk values:

Bull elk for meat $1,368.34

Cow elk for meat $912.23

Bull elk for breeding/stocking $2,396.43

Cow elk for breeding/stocking $958.57

Non-adult male elk $299.55

Non-adult female elk $159.76

These values are obtained by multiplying the aggregate survey values for deer and elk and the FSA values for deer 

and elk by the adjustment factors described below.

Factor Adjustment

Buck deer for meat FSA value times 1.5 13

Doe deer for meat FSA value times 1

Buck deer for breeding/stocking Survey value times 1.25 14

Doe deer for breeding/stocking Survey value times .5 15

Factor Adjustment

Non-adult male deer Breeding buck value divided by 8 16

Non-adult female deer Breeding doe value divided by 6 17

Bull elk for meat FSA value times 1.5

Cow elk for meat FSA value times 1

Bull elk for breeding/stocking Survey value times 1.25

Cow elk for breeding/stocking Survey value times .5

Non-adult male elk Breeding bull value divided by 8

Non-adult female elk Breeding cow value divided by 6

12 Stocker deer and elk are those deer and elk sold to hunting operations.

13 The FSA deer value (at 100 percent market value) is assumed to be the meat value of a doe deer. A buck is assumed to weigh 1.5 times the 

weight of a doe deer. A factor of one and one half (1.5) is therefore used to adjust the FSA deer value to a meat value for a buck.

14 Assumes that a 4-year-old buck of common quality with a Safari Club International (SCI) antler score from 160–169 is valued at $2,000. This 

value divided by the 2017 survey value of $1,622.53 yields an adjustment factor of 1.23. A factor of one and one quarter (1.25) is therefore used 

to adjust the 2017 survey value to a value for a common quality buck.

15 Assumes that a 2-year-old doe from a common quality sire is valued at $750. This value divided by the 2017 survey value of $1,622.53 yields 

an adjustment factor of 0.46. A factor of one-half (0.5) is therefore used to adjust the 2017 survey value to a value for a common quality doe.

16 Assumes that a buck fawn from a common quality sire is valued at $250. This value divided by the breeding buck value calculated above yields 

an adjustment factor of 0.123. A factor of one eighth (0.125) is therefore used to adjust the value of the calculated breeding buck value to a value 

of a buck fawn.

17 Assumes that a doe fawn from a common quality sire is valued at $125. This value divided by the breeding doe value calculated above yields 

an adjustment factor of 0.154. A factor of one sixth (0.167) is therefore used to adjust the value of the calculated breeding doe value to a value 

of a doe fawn.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 24

Values Calculated from Limited Industry Surveys

Limited industry surveys provide data from commodity-specific industry representatives to support the development 

of possible premium values for application to specialty production categories. Data may include sales data or cost 

data regarding the specific specialty category. Appropriate sales data would document nationally representative sales 

of animals in the specialty category. Appropriate cost data would document nationally representative production 

costs for animals in the specialty category in relation to production costs for conventionally produced animal 

categories such as those that appear in the USDA Commercial Indemnity Table.

Subcategories of turkey production classes not included in commercial indemnity tables

Values are from a limited survey conducted by the National Turkey Federation (NTF) in 2020, using a cost approach. 

NTF reported the values from 2019. These calculated values are shown in relation to values from the 2023 USDA 

Commercial Indemnity Table for conventional production turkeys, along with estimated premium values.

Specialty turkey group Calculated value Commercial Premium 

 from survey (2019) table value (2023)

Organic18

Hens $21.33 $19.83 7.56%

Toms $52.83 $33.08 59.70%

Breeder

Hens $85.41 $19.83 330.72%

Toms $184.18 $33.08 456.77%

The premium percentages calculated above are applied to the values provided in the commercial table to estimate 

the values shown in Table 1. Age ranges are adjusted for productive phases of breeders. Two additional categories 

are added at the end of the productive life: (1) spent breeder turkeys are valued the same as full-grown commercial 

turkeys; (2) breeder turkeys 238–391 days of age are valued at the midpoint of the spent value and the peak 

production value. 

Subcategories for gamebird production classes

The North American Gamebird Association (NAGA) is a trade association representing 300 of the largest pheasant, 

partridge, and quail farms, along with game bird hunting preserves across the United States. NAGA provided 2023

values to ensure indemnity values are in line with industry averages based on data that was not available to APHIS. 

NAGA conducted a nationally representative survey of ring-necked pheasant, Hun/redleg partridge, chukar partridge, 

and quail producers to estimate values for three-week age categories. A breeder bird is 6–18 months old, currently 

used for breeding, and females are in lay. NAGA also proposed average ages for these gamebirds to reach maturity. 

Values Calculated from Publicly Available, Nationally Representative Online Sources 

These values were calculated using online sources that are nationally representative of two broad categories of 

backyard poultry: standard fowl and exotic fowl. These online sources are the catalogs posted by national hatcheries

18 An aggregate value for organic turkeys is available in the five-year Organic Survey. However, this value does not distinguish between hens and 

toms.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 25

– Murray McMurray, Stromberg Chickens, Meyer Farms, and Metzer Farms19 – for most varieties of backyard fowl.

Backyard fowl values are for non-commercial production of less than 500 birds.

Within each category of backyard poultry, bird indemnity values are further segregated by age and, for standard 

fowl, by weight. The age groupings include fertilized eggs, young birds less than one-month old, juvenile birds which 

are fully feathered but not capable of reproducing yet, and adult birds. The basic formulas for calculating each age 

group are listed below:

Fertilized eggs = Day old values * Hatch rate %

Young birds = Day old values 

Juvenile birds = Day old values + [Cost of feed to bring to adult weight / 2]

Adult birds = Day old values + Cost of feed to bring to adult weight

Values are calculated by combining the base price per young bird at national hatcheries with the costs of feed 

incurred in raising a bird. The resulting values are presented in Table 1.

19 Metzer Farms breeds and sells only waterfowl (ducks and geese) and meat-production chickens. Only their waterfowl prices are relevant to 

the calculations discussed herein. Meat production poultry is captured in the Commercial Indemnity Table.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 26

References and Data Sources 

Aviagen. 2019. Ross 308 and Ross 308 FF performance objectives. 

https://en.aviagen.com/assets/Tech_Center/Ross_Broiler/Ross308-308FF-BroilerPO2019-EN.pdf

Aviagen. Undated. Nicholas Select, B.U.T 6, and Premium turkey performance objectives.

https://www.aviagenturkeys.us/uploads/2021/01/14/Nicholas%20Comm%20Perf%20Obj%20Select.pdf,

https://www.aviagenturkeys.us/uploads/2018/06/27/BUT%206%20Comm%20Perf%20Obj.pdf,

https://www.aviagenturkeys.us/uploads/2021/08/11/Premium%20Commercial%20Performance%20Objectives.pdf.

Chewy, Inc. 2022. Chicken feed & treats in bulk. [accessed August 2022]. https://www.chewy.com/b/chicken-951.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 2010. Agribusiness handbook for poultry meat & 

eggs. http://www.fao.org/3/al175e/al175e.pdf. 

Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC). [accessed January 30, 2023]. https://www.lmic.info/. 

Metzer Farms. [accessed August 2022]. https://www.metzerfarms.com. 

Meyer Hatchery. [accessed August 2022]. https://www.meyerhatchery.com. 

Murray McMurray Hatchery. [accessed August 2022]. https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html.

Penn State (Pennsylvania State University) Extension. 2017. Growth charts for dairy heifers. 

https://extension.psu.edu/growth-charts-for-dairy-heifers. 

Stromberg's Chickens. [accessed August 2022]. https://www.strombergschickens.com. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS). 2023. Custom reports. 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/custom-reports. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS). 2023a. Data mart. 

https://mpr.datamart.ams.usda.gov. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS). 2023b. Market news. 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/search-market-news.

United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS). 2023c. Weekly national turkey 

report. https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/wh248043v?locale=en. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). Title 9, Parts 50-

56, Code of Federal Regulations.

United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services (USDA 

APHIS VS). USDA commercial indemnity table for 2022. 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/sa-epidemiology-animalhealth-ceah/producer-indemnitycomp. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services (USDA 

APHIS VS). 2018. Policy and process recommendations to improve indemnity for species regulated under Title 9, 

Parts 50-56, in the Code of Federal Regulations.
VS Indemnity Table for 2023 

 27

United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (USDA FPAC–BC). 2023. 

Livestock values 1_17_2023. xlsx, unpublished Excel spreadsheet. Washington, DC.

United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency (USDA FSA). 2022. Livestock indemnity program, fact 

sheet. Washington, DC. (draft). Most recent public version of this factsheet is available at 

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/livestock_indemnity_program_lipfact_sheet.pdf. 

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). 2019. Census of 

agriculture 2017. https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/index.php. 

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). 2022. Chickens and 

eggs annual summary. https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/1v53jw96n?locale=en. 

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). Quick stats. [accessed 

January 2022]. https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/. 

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). 2020. Organic survey 

2019. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/Organics/index.php. 

For more information

Project Lead: Charlotte Ham, (970) 217-8958, charlotte.ham@usda.gov .